Supply Chain/Inventory Management

Supply chain operations and logistics companies will play a key role in ensuring end-to-end visibility of products as they move through the global supply chain. Some third-party logistics providers are already tagging products for their customers. Others are examining how they can benefit internally by improving the utilization of containers and chassis with RFID tracking. This track focuses on how companies can improve their own supply chain operations by using RFID technologies and how logistics providers can deliver value to their customers by sharing RFID data.

• How to use active RFID tags to track and control inventory
• The benefits of using tags designed to extend battery longevity when tracking real-time location of assets• The benefits of tracking food products from farm to customer
• How to create a system for tracking food across the entire supply chain• The benefits of tracking parts bins across the supply chain
• The technology infrastructure needed to track parts bins in the open supply chain• An understanding of the technical challenges of tagging various types of rental equipment
• The benefits of automating the tracking of items being rented• How to streamline overall logistics by using an RFID system designed to work specifically on distribution centers.
• The advantages of RFID to increase process speed

November 5, 2008

14:45—Breakout Session

TNT Express Improves Efficiencies and Saves Money With RFID

Earlier this year, TNT Express began the first phase of a project to automate the management and increase the visibility of roll cages used to house and transport high-value goods within and among various depots across Europe. The deployment uses Wi-Fi-based active RFID tags over a wireless infrastructure. Hear the early results of phase 1 and find out if the project eliminates the need for manual scanning of cages, improves efficiencies when managing cage resources among depots, and reduces the need for expensive replacement cages.

• How to use active RFID tags to track and control inventory
• The benefits of using tags designed to extend battery longevity when tracking real-time location of assets

16:25—Breakout Session

Using RFID to Track Food from Farm to Fork

Nortura, a Norwegian meat producer, is taking advantage of RFID’s ability to provide detailed product information, as well as increased visibility and efficiency. At the farm, young animals are tagged for identification and classification. At the production site, RFID tags identify the age and origin of specific animals. And on the cutting line, meat parts are identified according to their type, weight and nutritional characteristics. Learn how the system was designed and deployed and where the benefits are being achieved.

• The benefits of tracking food products from farm to customer
• How to create a system for tracking food across the entire supply chain

November 6, 2008

11:15—Breakout Session

How Tracking Parts Bins With RFID Benefits All Players in the Automotive Industry

CHEP has been working with auto parts suppliers to tag more than 150,000 large automotive containers. An RFID reader infrastructure has been deployed in eight countries across Europe. The system should deliver an ROI for CHEP based on more effective materials management, but the project is also expected to deliver additional benefits to all companies in the automotive supply chain. In this session, learn the business case for the project, the technology used, how the project is managed and the benefits being realized.

• The benefits of tracking parts bins across the supply chain
• The technology infrastructure needed to track parts bins in the open supply chain

13:30—Breakout Session

Improving Rental Business Operations With RFID

JOKE, an owner-managed, full-service agency for live communications, rents event interior furnishings and multimedia equipment. The firm recently began employing radio frequency identification to track its rental equipment and streamline its business processes. Learn how RFID can cut costs associated with tracking rental equipment, as well as simplify billing and improve the way rental companies do business.

• An understanding of the technical challenges of tagging various types of rental equipment
• The benefits of automating the tracking of items being rented

14:20—Breakout Session

Euro Pool System Speeds Up Logistics Process With RFID

Euro Pool System, a provider of reusable transport items (RTIs) used primarily for fruit, vegetables and other fresh products, is implementing a passive UHF RFID system to help improve its overall logistics and inventory processes. Unlike other warehouse applications, RTI pools do not have redundant control mechanisms. With only one chance to count complete pallets, Euro Pool must rely on the count of the RFID reading. The company will explain the pros and cons of using RFID to track RTIs and share what it has learned.

• How to streamline overall logistics by using an RFID system designed to work specifically on distribution centers.
• The advantages of RFID to increase process speed

15:10—Breakout Session

Using RFID in Rugged Supply Chain Conditions

RFID can be used in almost any industry to trace material through the supply chain to improve efficiency and gain a competitive edge. But harsh environment conditions or production processes that feature heavy vibrations or shocks create challenges for manufacturing companies that need inexpensive and durable tags. This session showcases the results of the Indisputable Key project, a 12 million euro project in which 29 partners from Estonia, Finland, France, Norway and Sweden developed a complete system for using RFID to enable companies to trace boards, planks, window frames and other products back to their original logs and to analyze the actual environmental performance of their supply chain.